Edwards Urges Tort Reform, Universal Coverage

Sen. Edwards said that the cost of his plan was estimated at $90–$120 billion, and that he would pay for it by reducing tax cuts for people making more than $200,000 a year.

A reporter asked Sen. Edwards about the differences between his plan and that of rival presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), who released a plan in September with many provisions similar to Sen. Edwards's plan, such as an array of private plans for people to choose from as well as a public plan similar to Medicare.

“One difference [is] … how big a priority you made this and how early you came out with a comprehensive plan,” he said. “It's a huge priority to me, and I will not bend on universal [coverage].” Further, “Sen. Clinton appears to believe that you can take money from health insurance and drug company lobbyists and sit at the table with them and negotiate a compromise. “I absolutely reject that. The way you get it done is to convince the American people about the rightness of what you want to do,” Sen. Edwards said.

Beneficiaries should have a 'medical home' with a single provider to coordinate care. SEN. EDWARDS